Vine-cutter.



PATENTED AUG.v 27, 1907.

8.8GHBRTZER. mm GUTTER.

APPLIOLTIOI FILED APR- 24, 1907.

WITNESSES 1n: mama's PETERS to, wnsnmcrolv, a. c.

rurrnn STATES BATENT OFFICE.

, SIMON SGHERTZER, of ADA, OHIO.

vmnicur'mn.

Hardin and State of Ohio, have invented certain. new

and useful Improvements in Vine-Cutters, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in vine cutters, and particularlya manually operated cutter for use in the propagation of plants orvines, such as strawberries, water melons, sweet potatoes, etc.

The object of the invention is the construction of a cutter whichcomprises a minimum number of parts, simple to operate, ,andcomparatively inexpensive to construct.

With this and other objects in view, the invention consists of certainnovel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, as will behereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a vine cutterconstructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig.2 is aperspective view of the blade of the cutter. Fig. 3 is a vertical,sectional view taken on line 3, 3, Fig. 1 and looking in the directionof the arrow. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the bracing yoke of thecutter. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view of another embodiment ofthe present invention.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 designates a handle which isprovided at its lower end with a' bifurcated portion 2, and at its upperend with a grip 3. The grip 3 comprises a substantially Ushaped member 4having its ends 5 secured against the handle by any suitable fasteningmeans, as for instance, rivets or bolts 6. The Inemloer 4 is preferablyformed from flat or strap-iron, and t0 the upper, horizontal portion 7are secured semi-cylindrical portions 8, 8, by means of rivets 9.

The blade 10 is, preferably, substantially rectangular in shape, and isprovided with a lower, longitudinallyextending cutting edge 11, and withvertical cutting edges 12 formed upon its ends. By reason of theconstruction and arrangement of these cutting edges 11 and 12, upon theblade, my vine cutter can cut the vines either by a vertical stroke orby a swinging stroke. Near each end of the blade 10, and, preferably,near the center thereof, is an aperture 13. Contiguous to the center ofthe blade is a pair of apertures 14. The blade 10 is positioned withinthe bifurcated portion 2 of the handle 1. The bifurcated portion 2 ofthe handle is provided with a pair of apertures that register with theapertures 14 of the blade 10, when said blade is in its normal positionwithin the bifurcated portion of the handle. Suitable fastening means,as for instance, a pair of bolts or rivets 15, are positioned withinthese registering apertures, and fixedly secure the blade to the handle.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed April 24,1907. Serial1T0- 376,099

Patented Aug. 27,1907. i

A bracin -yoke 16 is employed in the construction of my vine cutter, andthis yoke is, preferably, formed of a rod in substantially an invertedV. The upper end 17 of the bracing yoke is, preferably, flattened, 'asat 18, and this flattened portion 18 is provided with an aperture 19.The lower ends of the bracing-yoke are bent laterally as at 20, wherebythe lower, flat ends or feet 21 will beplaced against one side of theblade 10, when the bracing=yoke is in its normal position upon thehandle or blade, as clearly seen in Fig. 1. Each of the lower ends orfeet 21 is provided with an aperture 22, which apertures 22 registerwith the apertures 13 of the blade 10. Suitable fastening means, as forinstance, rivets or bolts 23, are positioned in registering apertures 13and 22 and fixedly secure the bracing yoke and blade together. Withinthe aperture 19, there is secured suitable fastening means, as forinstance, a rivet 24, and by reason of the flattened portion 18, thehead at one end ofthe rivet or bolt will lie snug against said flattenedportion, thereby preventing any liability of fastening means 24 becomingloose upon the handle.

By reason of the bifurcated structure of the handle 1 and thesubstantially inverted V-shaped bracing yoke, any strain upon thebladeat either of its cutting edges will be evenly distributed over theentire device, as it will be obvious that by reason of the different attaching means, to wit: the bracing-yoke, the bifurcated end, andfastening means 15, if the vertical end cutting edges 12 are used, anystrain upon the blade at said ends will be distributed at a series ofattaching points, whereas, if the longitudinally-extending cutting edge11 is being used, the strain will be distributed at the center and nearthe outer edges of the blade, and thereby preventing the blade fromworking loose upon the handle and bracing-yoke, whereby the lifeof thevine cutter is considerable increased. In Fig. 5, I have shown thebracing-yoke 16 provided with inwardly substantially right-angledextensions 20 formed upon the lower end of said yoke, and theseextensions are, preferably positionedin the apertures 13 of blade 10,and upon their extreme end is formed a head 25, similar to the head of arivet. The heads 25 of yoke 16 constitute fastening means for securingthe inner extensions of the lower ends of the bracing-yoke to the plate.

What I claim is:

1. A vine cutter, comprising a handle provided with a lower, bifurcatedend, said bifurcated end provided with pairs of registering apertures, astraight, substantially rectangular blade positioned within thebifurcated end of said handle, said blade provided near its center witha pair of apertures registering with the apertures of said handle,fastening means extending through said registering apertures of theblade and handle; said blade pro vided' near each end with an aperture,a bracing-yoke substantially V-shaped, engaging said handle and blade,the upper end of said braclng-yoke provided with an apercured, flattenedportion, and its lower ends laterally bent, means securing the laterallybent lower ends of said bracing-yoke to the end apertured-portions ofsaid blade, means extending through the apertured portion of the upperend of said yoke, and securing the same to said handle, and said bladeprovided with a lower, longitudinal cutting edge and with verticalcutting edges formed at its ends.

2. A vine cutter, comprising a handle, a straight blade secured at thelower end of said handle, said straight blade provided with a lower,longitudinal cutting edge and with vertical cutting edges formed at itsends, and a bracing-yoke secured at its ends to said blade and securedintermediate its ends to said handle.

3. A vine cutter, comprising a handle, a blade provided' with straightcutting edges formed at its ends and with a straight cutting edge formedupon its lower portion at an angle to-the end cutting edges, and abracing-yoke secured intermediate its ends to said handle and secured atits ends to said blade contiguous to its ends.

4. A vine cutter, comprising a handle, a straight blade secured to saidhandle, said blade provided with a longitudinally-extending cutting edgeand with vertical cutting edges at its ends, a yoke secured intermediateits ends to said handle and provided at its ends with laterallyextendingportions engaging one side of said blade intermediate its ends, andmeans securing said ends of the bracing-yoke-to said blade.

-5.. As'an improved article of manufacture, a vine cutter, comprising ahandle, a blade secured to said handle, said blade provided withstraight edges at its ends and With a straight edge upon its lower edge,said cutting edges at its ends positioned at an angle to the cuttingedge at the lower edge, a yoke secured intermediate its ends to saidhandle, and having its lower ends engaging said blade intermediate itsends, and means securing the lower ends of said yoke to said blade.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in

